>

> Hi Karl, I'm currently building a wood-framed baidarka. I'm using
> spruce cut from a construction-grade 2x10 for all the longitudinal
> parts (gunnels, stringers, keel parts). Deck beams are yellow cedar,
> and ribs will be either ash or yellow cedar.

> Red cedar tends to be soft and brittle (at least that's what
> I have seen- maybe you can get better quality stock), so you may need
> to increase the dimensions if you use it for the longitudinals. It
> would be excellent for deck beams, though. Ash or white oak would
> be heavy and overkill for deck beams. I would use them for the ribs
> and coaming instead, since they're very strong and steam bend well.
> I recommend spruce for longitudinals if you can get it in your area.
>

> If you haven't done so, join the baidarka mailing list. Also,
> get a hold of Wolfgang Brinck's book The Aleutian Kayak. There are
> several skin boats, both aluminum and wood framed, in the Kayak Builders
> of Southern California kayak registry- see link below. You will also
> find instructions on how to join the baidarka mailing list. Have fun
> building.

> Rick Rubio

Rick, many thanks are due for your great advice. I'll check out Wolfgang Brinck's book soon. I've seen the kayak registry you mentioned and had thought about posting there when I'm finished. The greatest amount of thanks is for pointing me towards the baidarka mailing list.